Choosing your perfect mattress can seem daunting due to the fact there are so many options on the market – it can be difficult to know where to start! Considering your sleeping position as well as other factors like back pain and support can be a huge help when it comes to making your decision. If you’re unsure, read on and we’ll look at how a memory foam mattress and a traditional mattress compare.
Memory Foam Mattresses
A lot of us will be familiar with memory foam mattresses – they are a modern, advanced product, that can provide high levels of comfort, and can be manufactured with many variables to make sure that whoever chooses one of these to sleep on gets the highest level of comfort and support. Below, we’ll look at the materials and attributes that make up a memory foam mattress, as well as the benefits that choosing one can bring, and the types of sleepers that they are perfect for.
Attributes
Memory foam is made up of a primary material called Polyurethane – this material is a plastic polymer that is incredibly versatile. It can be used to make furniture like sofas and mattresses and is designed to contour and shape to align with our bodies. Some of memory foams’ main attributes are:
- Contours: The foam used in these mattresses moulds and shapes the body of the person lying or sitting on it. This means the mattress can adapt and support your specific shape and weight.
- Sink: This can leave people torn. The foam allows your body to sink into it, so you can be embraced by the mattress. Some people do not like this feeling, others love it!
- Response: These mattresses respond well to any weight placed on them, and work in conjunction with the pressure being applied – this attribute is also responsible for the contouring and sinking in feeling mentioned above.
Benefits
Many benefits come with a memory foam mattress. If you’re looking for a comfortable, yet supportive way to sleep, one of these mattresses could be perfect for you. They are designed to shape your body, so you can relieve any stress you’re placing on pressure points like your shoulders and hips. You can also benefit from spine alignment, as the surface responds to your body’s natural shape, meaning you can wake up feeling refreshed and free of pain.
Because of the foam material that these mattresses are made from, you can benefit from minimal motion transfer, which means you won’t be woken up by a restless partner or pet! They are also quiet, so you can sleep soundly each night.
But along with the benefits come the disadvantages! Memory foam can absorb heat, so if you sleep warm, you should choose something more breathable. They also tend to be expensive and difficult to move due to their dense and heavy nature.
Types of sleepers
If you sleep on your side or back and like to feel comforted by your mattress, a memory foam model could be the solution for you, with pressure point relief and added support for your spine and lumbar region. Stomach sleepers may struggle with these mattresses as they can sag.
Traditional Mattresses
A lot of us will have had one of these mattresses in our lifetimes. A traditional mattress tends to refer to an innerspring mattress, made up of springs to the centre with a padded or cushioned top. These mattresses are popular because they are easy to manufacture and they’re affordable. Here are some of their attributes.
Attributes
- Material layers: These traditional mattresses have soft layers to increase comfort for sleepers that choose them, in addition to the springs used for support inside.
- Spring Support: Springs make up the underlayer of these mattresses, the more springs, the more supportive the mattress tends to be.
- Types of Springs: The type of spring used in your mattress can determine the support and comfort you receive. Some of the springs that might be used include pocket coils, Bonnell coils and continuous coils.
Benefits
These innerspring mattresses tend to be affordable, but that doesn’t mean they’re not a quality choice! Some of the benefits that come with these mattresses include a high response with an added bit of bounce, and they can offer support for those of us that are heavier or need more support for our back and joints. If you’re a warm sleeper, the coils within the mattress allow air to flow through, so you can stay cool and get a comfortable night’s sleep.
Some of the disadvantages you might find with an innerspring mattress are that they transfer a lot of motion, so you’ll be able to feel your partner tossing and turning. They can also sag and may not be particularly durable, especially in lower-quality mattresses.
Types of sleepers
Sleepers that need more support, such as stomach sleepers or heavier weight sleepers can benefit from choosing an innerspring, traditional mattress. They provide adequate support to keep your spine aligned when sleeping face down and can help you to tackle back pain. They are a great alternative to softer mattresses that are often uncomfortable for sleepers that lie on their stomach.